Overleaves are personality traits that "overlay" the essence (soul). They are usually chosen before a lifetime begins in order to facilitate the purposes of that lifetime, and operate for that lifetime only.

Using this system of enneagramic tools called the Overleaves, the Michael teachings helps us learn self-acceptance and tolerance for all people. Understanding and accepting the differences of others is the key to unlocking greater levels of compassion, both for ourselves and those around us. More importantly, the Overleaves show us how we pre-incarnationally decided to experience life. They are the roadmap for what it means to be human, and when properly recognized and validated, Overleaves help us operate from our true personality -- the state of being where real spiritual growth occurs.

As previously mentioned, Overleaves are personality traits that “overlay” the essence. We choose them before a lifetime begins to facilitate the purposes of that lifetime, and usually select a new combination of them for each lifetime. The overleaves include the goal, mode, attitude, center, and chief feature. The goal influences what we do; the mode, how we do it; the attitude, why we do it; the center, the part of self from which we do it; and the chief feature, what tends to block or distort our doing.